Old Photos and Articles about Rainham Kent

History of Rainham Kent, Old Photos and Life in Bygone Times

Old Photos, Memories & Articles about Rainham Kent - Discover Rainham's History

Rainham is one of the Medway Towns in North Kent which also includes Gillingham, Chatham and Rochester. This site contains many Old Historical Photographs of Rainham Kent. More updates and requests for info can be found on the Rainham History Facebook page, click Like to get updates. Rainham has a number of distinct areas such as Parkwood, Wigmore, Rainham Mark, Twydall along with Hempstead, Meresborough and Lower Rainham. The aim of this site is to create an archive of historical information and photos about the history of Rainham in the county of Kent and the surrounding areas.

Barclays Bank in the 1940s

 

Chestnuts High Street Rainham Kent

This photo of Chestnuts on High Street Rainham was kindly provided by Michael Ball who writes "My grandmother, and sisters were born in Popes Hall in Hartlip and eventually moved to Canada. I have a fairly extensive collection of Wakeley and Rainham pictures which I have added to my family history collection. I am attaching an early picture of what I believe is "The Chestnuts" on the High Street in Rainham. I believe that it was the home of one of the members of the Wakeley family at one time."
 
This impressive building was demolished to make way for housing in Rainham.
 
Chestnuts High Street Rainham Kent
 
It was reported for the 1887 Jubilee celebrations for Queen Victoria that "At The Chestnuts, a house owned by local preacher and businessman Thomas Stanley Wakeley, the colours of the barge ‘Richmond’ surmounted the building accompanied by a transparency of the crown surrounded by flags."

Rainham High Street 1963 showing Coningsby House

This fascinating photo of Rainham High Street taken in 1963 was kindly provided by Joe Ennis and is one I've not seen before.

There are some notable landmarks visible in the photo. Firstly on the left hand side there is a large house at 69 High Street that was called Coningsby House and a forge that was demolished to make way for Rainham Shopping centre. The shops that are now Nutmegs and Greyfox Estate agents are visible on the left of the picture. 

On the right hand side you can see the road sign for Orchard Street showing that the Natwest bank was not built at this time. Next to that is the Royal Cinema known as the Bug Hutch - read more here about the Bug Hutch Rainham - Royal Cinema

There is a lorry with the words Fremlins County Ale on the front passing by the cinema. You can see Estate agents sign in the distance which would be Harris & Bone

photo of Rainham High Street taken in 1963 showing a lorry with the words Fremlins County Ale

 

A slightly earlier photo of Rainham High Street looking in the opposite direction gives an idea of the area covered by the picture above. The house now demolished is surrounded by trees in front of it towards the top left of the image.

 

Most Read Pages